The Institute offers training in translation, interpretation, transcription, language and cultural awareness. Francine Kuipers, founder and CEO of Accent on Languages Inc., together with Mateo Rutherford, a professional translator with the assistance of Angela Zawadzki, founded the Berkeley Language Institute which aims at training individuals to enter the translation and interpretation fields, as well as training the bilingual staff of organizations that use other languages on a daily basis to provide services to the public.

Berkeley Language Institute is a partner of Accent on Languages Inc., a translation and interpretation services agency operating in Berkeley since 1992.